Vernon

Dining

(Kevin Arnold photo)

Vernon provides truly diverse dining experiences.

A wide range of restaurants, including cafés, bistros, ethnic eateries and steakhouses, is concentrated in the downtown shopping district. Family restaurants, pizza and fast food outlets cluster on Highway 97 and on 27th Street, the city's second commercial strip.

Several larger hotels offer their own restaurants and lounges, while pub food is another local favourite. A similar variety is repeated in the village at Silver Star Mountain Resort.

Look for extensive wine lists at many restaurants, featuring the best of the Okanagan Valley's vineyards.

Coffee Houses

Vernonites love to gather for a java, so this city is full to the brim with coffee houses. Among the many options, sip a morning latte at Bean to Cup, an authentically restored historic house, or jump start your heart with an espresso in the Tuscan garden at Bean Scene.

The regular suspects are also represented with Tim Horton's and Starbucks, but a different variation on the theme is the Talkin Donkey, a non-profit establishment that serves only fair trade products and supports local and international causes.

Steakhouses

Vernon's deep cattle ranching roots are reflected in three very good choices for steak: the Phoenix Steakhouse, located in a historic bank building downtown; the Clubhouse overlooking the rolling greens at Predator Ridge Golf Resort; and the Eclectic Med, which also serves specialty meats like bison and venison.

Markets

For do-it-yourself gourmet dining, Vernon Farmer's Market presents products from more than 100 vendors in peak season on Mondays and Thursdays, April to October, in the multi-plex parking lot. For farm gate produce, preserves and home baked goods, Davison Orchards is a five-minute drive west of downtown, and Swan Lake Fruit Market and Garden Centre is easy to access on Highway 97, north of the city centre. Check with the Visitor Centre about potential seasonal opening times if you plan on visiting.